There are many ways supermarkets entice you to spend more than you planned. Some of them are listed below. Also, some ways you can tips the scales in your favor have been added.
Check out these Secrets and be armed so you can shop more intelligently and save more.
Secret #1. Check newspaper ads for the sale items available this week. Don't buy them though, just because they are on special. Buy them only if you need them.
Secret #2. Don't do your weekly food shopping on an empty stomach. The sights and smells are often too hard to resist and as a result your shopping budget can be in tatters.
Secret #3. Know how to compare brands, sizes, weights per $. Use a calculator if you have to. Don't be fooled by the size or claims of the packaging. Do the sums yourself.
Secret #4. If you can avoid it, don't buy goods at eye level. These are often more expensive. Try to buy from the higher or lower shelves.
Secret #5. Make out a list of items you need for the week before you leave home. Stick to the list as much as possible.
Secret #6. Ensure you have set a $ limit on your weekly food shopping and stick to it. Think creatively how you can get the most from your shopping dollar. You'll be surprised with your ideas.
Secret #7. Don't buy items at the check-outs. They are usually impulse purchases - not things you really need.
Secret #8. Sometimes complementary items such as drinks and pretzels/chips are placed side-by-side. This plays on your weakness to impulse shop. Unless it's on your list and it's at a great price let it go. Learn what kinds of items are considered impulsive, decide if you really want or need them, and cushion your grocery budget to pay for them
Secret #9. Pay attention to package sizes. Does 10% extra mean that the price is still the same or has the price been increased too? Learn to spot these claims and test them out for yourself.
Secret #10. Sometimes you'll find the same type of goods in 2 or 3 places. Take cheese for example. It will most probably be cheaper in the cheese rack than in the deli or on cheese tables.
Secret #11. Don't buy something, such as bread, just because it smells so good. Look at your list and make sure you really need it.
Secret #12.Think twice before buying an item because of a rebate. Less that 6% of shoppers ever redeem rebates. Before you buy, ask yourself "Will I really take the time to redeem the rebate?"
These a just a few helpful hints on ways to save money every time you shop at the supermarket. Look at your budget and see how much you could save using these ideas.
If you are looking for a great budget tool to help get your personal finances in shape just click on the links below.
Bruce Hokin has designed a simple budget tool called "5 Steps to Freedom Personal Budget." It based on his extensive background as a qualified, experienced accountant, manager, consultant and financial adviser. You can download this powerful budget assistant today and be on your way to financial freedom within the hour. It is available at his website www.freedom-personal-budgets.com.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
5 Key Personal Finance Problems - Which One Do You Want to Overcome?
Personal financial problems can rob you of happiness and contentment. Learning about these key issues now can save you years of heartache later on. It's your life - why not enjoy it?
You can take control of your personal finances by applying the lessons listed below.
Problem #1. Spending Without Knowing Your Limits
As in business, you will not last long financially if you spend without regard to your income. Knowing your spending limits is not hard to do. Just find the answers to these 4 easy questions:
Question #1. What is my take-home income per pay? (that is your total income less taxes)
Question #2. What do I need to spend to live?
Question #3. What is the difference after taking spending from income?
Question #4. Can I save enough for my future from the answer in Question #3?
There are many tools to help you gain answers to these questions. You can find many on the Internet. Helpful Hint: Find one that helps you set your savings targets, checks your ability to meet the targets and then shows your progress towards your goals.
Problem #2. Spending Without Setting Savings Targets
It's OK to spend to the limits of your income but that does not provide you with any buffer for urgent purchases, or protect you from a financial emergency. Urgent purchases could be renewing a broken fridge or stove, calling a plumber to fix a broken pipe or having to spend for major car repairs. Financial emergencies could be temporary loss of income or hospitalization of a family member. How would you survive financially in any of these situations?
You can begin to save today, it's easy. What if you went without your bought lunch each day at work? That saves you $1,000 per year on $5/day. What if you reduced your Starbuck's coffee by 1 each working day? That's another $1,000 per year on $5/day. Just those two amounts alone can mean a holiday for you, the beginnings of a savings plan, or an emergency buffer.
If you set a target of 10% of your take-home pay each payday that would be a good start. If you think creatively, you are sure to come up with ways to achieve this. Think of the peace of mind that would bring.
Problem #3. Spending Without Knowing How to Save
There are many easy ways for you to save money that allow you the freedom to spend when you see something you really want. Some of these are:
1. Don't buy on impulse. Ask yourself 2 or 3 times "Do I really NEED this?" before you buy. If you cannot answer with a resounding "YES " let it go.
2. Don't buy things JUST because they are on sale. Only buy things you need. If you do need them wait a few weeks the price may fall even further.
3. Don't buy the latest fashion items at the height of the season. Just wait a while. The prices usually reduce.
4. Don't compare yourself with others and what they have. They may have purchased making the same finance mistakes as you.
5. Set yourself a savings target. Put this money aside each payday BEFORE spending any of your pay.
Problem #4. Spending Without Feeling Satisfied
Spending can leave you feeling pretty shallow and unrewarded when you purchase on a whim or fancy when you really know you cannot afford the item. What's more you may not even use it. What a waste!
To really FEEL GOOD ABOUT SHOPPING and spending you need to know these 4 things:
1. My budget allows me the freedom to purchase this item
2. I have the cash put away already for this purchase (even though I will use my credit card for the transaction).
3. This purchase is something that I really want and will use.
4. I have purchased this item at the best possible price, saving as much as I can.
Problem #5. Spending Without Caring About Your Future
Unless you are planning for your future and financial security, you cannot be really happy. There are always worries lurking in your mind about how you would survive in a financial emergency if you have no savings. It can be very rewarding to see how quickly your savings multiply over time with only a small investment each payday.
Did you know that by saving just $5 every day this would grow into $1,867 in 12 months at 5% interest and then it grows into a whopping $10,343 in 5 years? Isn't your future worth investing in?
Why not start to overcome your personal finance problems today? Looking back you'll be so glad you did!
If you click on the links below you will be taken to a great budget solution. It helps you set your savings targets, checks your ability to meet the targets and then shows your progress towards your goals.
Bruce Hokin has designed a simple budget tool called "5 Steps to Freedom Personal Budget." It based on his extensive background as a qualified, experienced accountant, manager, consultant and financial adviser. You can download this powerful budget assistant today and be on your way to financial freedom within the hour. It is available at his website www.freedom-personal-budgets.com.
You can take control of your personal finances by applying the lessons listed below.
Problem #1. Spending Without Knowing Your Limits
As in business, you will not last long financially if you spend without regard to your income. Knowing your spending limits is not hard to do. Just find the answers to these 4 easy questions:
Question #1. What is my take-home income per pay? (that is your total income less taxes)
Question #2. What do I need to spend to live?
Question #3. What is the difference after taking spending from income?
Question #4. Can I save enough for my future from the answer in Question #3?
There are many tools to help you gain answers to these questions. You can find many on the Internet. Helpful Hint: Find one that helps you set your savings targets, checks your ability to meet the targets and then shows your progress towards your goals.
Problem #2. Spending Without Setting Savings Targets
It's OK to spend to the limits of your income but that does not provide you with any buffer for urgent purchases, or protect you from a financial emergency. Urgent purchases could be renewing a broken fridge or stove, calling a plumber to fix a broken pipe or having to spend for major car repairs. Financial emergencies could be temporary loss of income or hospitalization of a family member. How would you survive financially in any of these situations?
You can begin to save today, it's easy. What if you went without your bought lunch each day at work? That saves you $1,000 per year on $5/day. What if you reduced your Starbuck's coffee by 1 each working day? That's another $1,000 per year on $5/day. Just those two amounts alone can mean a holiday for you, the beginnings of a savings plan, or an emergency buffer.
If you set a target of 10% of your take-home pay each payday that would be a good start. If you think creatively, you are sure to come up with ways to achieve this. Think of the peace of mind that would bring.
Problem #3. Spending Without Knowing How to Save
There are many easy ways for you to save money that allow you the freedom to spend when you see something you really want. Some of these are:
1. Don't buy on impulse. Ask yourself 2 or 3 times "Do I really NEED this?" before you buy. If you cannot answer with a resounding "YES " let it go.
2. Don't buy things JUST because they are on sale. Only buy things you need. If you do need them wait a few weeks the price may fall even further.
3. Don't buy the latest fashion items at the height of the season. Just wait a while. The prices usually reduce.
4. Don't compare yourself with others and what they have. They may have purchased making the same finance mistakes as you.
5. Set yourself a savings target. Put this money aside each payday BEFORE spending any of your pay.
Problem #4. Spending Without Feeling Satisfied
Spending can leave you feeling pretty shallow and unrewarded when you purchase on a whim or fancy when you really know you cannot afford the item. What's more you may not even use it. What a waste!
To really FEEL GOOD ABOUT SHOPPING and spending you need to know these 4 things:
1. My budget allows me the freedom to purchase this item
2. I have the cash put away already for this purchase (even though I will use my credit card for the transaction).
3. This purchase is something that I really want and will use.
4. I have purchased this item at the best possible price, saving as much as I can.
Problem #5. Spending Without Caring About Your Future
Unless you are planning for your future and financial security, you cannot be really happy. There are always worries lurking in your mind about how you would survive in a financial emergency if you have no savings. It can be very rewarding to see how quickly your savings multiply over time with only a small investment each payday.
Did you know that by saving just $5 every day this would grow into $1,867 in 12 months at 5% interest and then it grows into a whopping $10,343 in 5 years? Isn't your future worth investing in?
Why not start to overcome your personal finance problems today? Looking back you'll be so glad you did!
If you click on the links below you will be taken to a great budget solution. It helps you set your savings targets, checks your ability to meet the targets and then shows your progress towards your goals.
Bruce Hokin has designed a simple budget tool called "5 Steps to Freedom Personal Budget." It based on his extensive background as a qualified, experienced accountant, manager, consultant and financial adviser. You can download this powerful budget assistant today and be on your way to financial freedom within the hour. It is available at his website www.freedom-personal-budgets.com.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Do You Make These Mistakes With Personal Budgeting?
Spending habits, lifestyle, financial freedom and security are all topics close to everyone's heart. However, training to properly manage all these tasks successfully, has not been delivered consistently, so you are left to gain this knowledge on your own, often through trial and error. Learning about these common mistakes may keep you from going down the same path.
Let's list them out shall we?
#1. Spending More Than You Earn.
This would have to be the number one mistake made by millions of worried folks. Just stop and think about whose money it is you are really spending if you make this mistake. It is the banks or the Credit Card providers. The cost of this service is the interest charge. This could be the reason you never seem to able to get ahead.
Proven Tip: Spend within your means. Try to develop a mindset that pits your skills against the malls and try to SAVE money at every opportunity - not just spend.
#2. Not Saving for Those Large Purchases.
You will be forever chasing your tail financially, if you need to purchase your long-lived assets, such as furniture and white goods, on credit. They only have a limited life and are reducing in value all the time. Yet your credit charges remain the same year after year.
Proven Tip: Put aside some money each week or each month towards those asset purchases.
#3. Spending Money on Things Just Because They Are On Sale
Would businesses survive for very long if they spent their scarce resources on any advertised special or any "hot" product of the moment? What if they filled their warehouses with "specials" that they won't use, or bought more raw materials than they needed just because they were advertised on a late night TV infomercial? This can happen to you too. Buying more clothes than you need, some of which may not even be worn! How about those products advertised on late night TV. Do you REALLY need them?
Proven Tip: Think twice or even three times BEFORE you reach for the Credit Card to spend on a sale item.
#4. Not Actively Looking for Ways to Boost Your Income
Just because you have a day job does not mean that you should not try to improve yourself by doing any or all of the following:
- Go to the local library and learn more about your favorite hobby
- Maybe you could turn your hobby into a money-making venture, many people do. Why not you?
- What about setting up your own website and promoting other people's product for a commission?
- Learn how to improve your resume - ready for that next job opportunity
- Take a course by distance or at your local college to make yourself more employable, ready for the next opportunity.
#5. Not Actively Seeking to Sell Off Old and Unused Household Items.
Most people have heaps of unused items in their garages or under their house. These will have value for someone. Why not load them in the trunk and take them to the monthly markets. You'd be surprised how much they can be sold for.
#6. Comparing Yourself with Others and Their Lifestyle.
How can you be sure that the people you compare yourself to, are not struggling with the same financial problems you are? Just look to yourself and to your real needs.
#7. Not putting funds aside for investing.
You can never get out of this situation if you only live day-to-day. Even if you can put aside $10 a day, there's $3,600 in the space of just one year - plus interest! Surely there is the daily work lunch and the purchased coffees that could be substituted for some savings. Think what you could do with that much cash!
#8. Not Committing to a Budget Plan
This is one of the main downfalls. You cannot expect to have different outcomes if you do the same things day after day. This will take a little dedication and willpower. But in the end it's worth it. Financial freedom, cash to purchase your holidays and Christmas presents. Less worry - more life.
This is a very short list of mistakes made by ordinary people. However, the solution to your finance woes is not that difficult. All you need is a little commitment, good tools and desire to be free from financial worries. Get control today.
Bruce Hokin has designed a simple budget tool called "5 Steps to Freedom Personal Budget." It based on his extensive background as a qualified, experienced accountant, manager, consultant and financial adviser. You can download this powerful budget assistant today and be on your way to financial freedom within the hour. It is available at his website www.freedom-personal-budgets.com.
Let's list them out shall we?
#1. Spending More Than You Earn.
This would have to be the number one mistake made by millions of worried folks. Just stop and think about whose money it is you are really spending if you make this mistake. It is the banks or the Credit Card providers. The cost of this service is the interest charge. This could be the reason you never seem to able to get ahead.
Proven Tip: Spend within your means. Try to develop a mindset that pits your skills against the malls and try to SAVE money at every opportunity - not just spend.
#2. Not Saving for Those Large Purchases.
You will be forever chasing your tail financially, if you need to purchase your long-lived assets, such as furniture and white goods, on credit. They only have a limited life and are reducing in value all the time. Yet your credit charges remain the same year after year.
Proven Tip: Put aside some money each week or each month towards those asset purchases.
#3. Spending Money on Things Just Because They Are On Sale
Would businesses survive for very long if they spent their scarce resources on any advertised special or any "hot" product of the moment? What if they filled their warehouses with "specials" that they won't use, or bought more raw materials than they needed just because they were advertised on a late night TV infomercial? This can happen to you too. Buying more clothes than you need, some of which may not even be worn! How about those products advertised on late night TV. Do you REALLY need them?
Proven Tip: Think twice or even three times BEFORE you reach for the Credit Card to spend on a sale item.
#4. Not Actively Looking for Ways to Boost Your Income
Just because you have a day job does not mean that you should not try to improve yourself by doing any or all of the following:
- Go to the local library and learn more about your favorite hobby
- Maybe you could turn your hobby into a money-making venture, many people do. Why not you?
- What about setting up your own website and promoting other people's product for a commission?
- Learn how to improve your resume - ready for that next job opportunity
- Take a course by distance or at your local college to make yourself more employable, ready for the next opportunity.
#5. Not Actively Seeking to Sell Off Old and Unused Household Items.
Most people have heaps of unused items in their garages or under their house. These will have value for someone. Why not load them in the trunk and take them to the monthly markets. You'd be surprised how much they can be sold for.
#6. Comparing Yourself with Others and Their Lifestyle.
How can you be sure that the people you compare yourself to, are not struggling with the same financial problems you are? Just look to yourself and to your real needs.
#7. Not putting funds aside for investing.
You can never get out of this situation if you only live day-to-day. Even if you can put aside $10 a day, there's $3,600 in the space of just one year - plus interest! Surely there is the daily work lunch and the purchased coffees that could be substituted for some savings. Think what you could do with that much cash!
#8. Not Committing to a Budget Plan
This is one of the main downfalls. You cannot expect to have different outcomes if you do the same things day after day. This will take a little dedication and willpower. But in the end it's worth it. Financial freedom, cash to purchase your holidays and Christmas presents. Less worry - more life.
This is a very short list of mistakes made by ordinary people. However, the solution to your finance woes is not that difficult. All you need is a little commitment, good tools and desire to be free from financial worries. Get control today.
Bruce Hokin has designed a simple budget tool called "5 Steps to Freedom Personal Budget." It based on his extensive background as a qualified, experienced accountant, manager, consultant and financial adviser. You can download this powerful budget assistant today and be on your way to financial freedom within the hour. It is available at his website www.freedom-personal-budgets.com.
You Can Laugh at Money Worries – If You Gain These 7 Simple Skills
Worrying about your finances can be very draining on you and your family. However, there are a few basic skills, if mastered, can transform your finances and your life.
Personal finance and business finance are based on the same principles - only the scale is different. Let's see how business control their finances and apply it to your finances with 7 simple skills.
Skill #1. Learn Where Your Money Goes (Business controls its spending)
This skill is a very easy one to master, all it needs a little discipline. Just get a little diary, keep it with at all times and enter each spending transaction into it for a whole month. Do not leave anything out. Every coffee bought while you were out, every bought work lunch, every magazine and every item of clothing. Look at it and see where your funds are really going. Then think what you could have done without. If it was a work-day Starbuck's Coffee (say $5) - that's worth $1,000 per year! What you could you do with that? That's a short resort holiday or you could put it aside for emergencies.
Once you have the months' spending list, then group the items into categories. You could use Food, Clothing, Transport, Rent/House Payments, Medical and Car Payments etc.
Skill #2. Learn How Much You Really Have to Spend (Business knows what it has available to spend)
This is a little harder - but not much. List out your take-home pay (total income less taxes). Then take off your monthly payments such as house/rent, car, life insurance, credit card and medical insurance. The balance should be what is left to spend.
Skill #3. Learn How to Set Savings Goals (Business sets targets)
Once you have mastered Skills #1 and #2 it’s time to sit down and think about what you really need to save for. Is it the kid’s education? Is it a holiday for the family or yourself? Is it to set some money aside for retirement? Or, is it to replace the car, furniture or washing machine?
Look at your results in Skills #1 and #2. How much do you have left after taking your spending from your income? Is there anything left over? What happens if there was a spending emergency? What would happen if there was a major car repair cost? What happens if your fridge or washer dies? You need to set aside something each month to cover these events.
Skill #4. Learn How to Live Within Your Means (Business cannot spend more than it can repay)
If the results of Skills #1 and #2 shows that you are spending more than your income whose money are you really spending? It is the bank's or the Credit Card Provider's money. That money has a cost. It's the interest. That is one reason you need help now.
There are only two parts to this puzzle. Money in and money out. The trick is to make more or spend less, or a combination of both. Since it is easier to spend more that to earn more, let's look at some painless ways to spend less.
1. Don't buy things just because they are on sale - only buy when you really need them.
2. Think twice (or even three times) before spending on frivolous items
3. Think twice before you make that mobile phone call. Is it REALLY necessary?
4. Wait for things to go on sale. Usually there is no immediate need to buy many items.
5. Eat at home more often. 1 meal a week eaten at home, not out, could save you $750 per year.
6. Make your work lunch instead of buying it each day. This could save you up to $2,000 per year!
7. Stay busy - start a hobby, improve yourself by reading at the library - anything to keep you from shopping at the mall.
8. Buy clothes from discount shops rather than large up-market retailers.
9. Let your kids take the bus to school rather than driving them.
10. Try to eat natural foods rather than processed foods. You'll save money and stay more healthy.
11. Stop smoking. What a waste of money! It costs you money and it can harm your health.
12. Apply as much spare cash as you can to pay down your credit card debt quickly.
Now, how can you increase your cash coming in?
1. Improve you job/career prospects by taking a course, read books to enhance your work skills at the library.
2. Take online surveys. Check them out on the Internet.
3. Learn how to create your own website. Make your hobby pay for itself.
4. Clean out those items you no longer need. Fill up your car trunk and take them to a weekly or monthly market. You'll be surprised how much people will pay.
Skill #5. Learn How to Develop a "Savings" Mindset (Business only purchases at the best price)
Tell yourself from now on you're not paying full price again for anything. Not clothes, not furniture, not white goods, not car repairs, not insurances, not phones - not even food. Once you set your mind to it, you will find many ways to make this happen. It only needs the will. These tips will help:
1. When buying expensive items play off one store against another. Ask for the lowest price from one store then get the other one to better it. Do this a few times and you'll be surprised how much they can really cut the price!
2. Don't buy clothes at the height of the fashion. Find clothes that mix and match well.
3. Learn a little about how your car works. Don't just take your car to the repairer and say "fix it". Try to narrow down the problem yourself first. Get a couple of quotes.
4. Competition is a wonderful thing. There are always providers of services out these that are ready and willing to beat a competitor's price. This will work for phones (fixed and mobile), insurances, computers, software, car finance and house finance. Make sure the quality is to your standards though.
Skill #6. Learn How to Bargain and not Accept Paying Full Price Again. (Business needs to negotiate prices)
Always ask "What is your best price?" Don't ask "Is that your best price?" Be ready to tell the salesperson the best price you've received from their competition. Then ask the question again, "What is your best price?" Walk away if the price is not to your satisfaction. This is best used on white goods, furniture and vehicle salespeople.
Don't get too stuck on a specific brand or model. Look at all your options.
You can also look for the type of product you require on Ebay. Check their prices and use them to your advantage.
Skill #7. Learn How to Put Your Own Finance Plan in Place - and Stick to it. (Business needs a plan and commits to it)
Now that you have a few more skills to control money in and money out it's time to commit to a budget that will meet your savings and spending needs.
Find a budget plan system that satisfies your requirements. (You can find them on the Internet). Make sure the one you choose it lets you set your goals, checks your ability to meet those goals and then tracks your progress monthly towards those goals. Also, make sure it is good value for money. One system that satisfies all these requirements is "5 Steps to Freedom" Personal Budget. You can learn more by clicking on the links below or clicking on the Author's Profile.
If you learn these skills and put then into practice, you can truly "Laugh at Your Money Worries".
Bruce Hokin has designed a simple budget tool called "5 Steps to Freedom Personal Budget." It's based on his extensive background as a qualified, experienced accountant, manager, consultant and financial adviser. You can download this powerful budget assistant today and be on your way to financial freedom within the hour. It is available at his website www.freedom-personal-budgets.com.
Personal finance and business finance are based on the same principles - only the scale is different. Let's see how business control their finances and apply it to your finances with 7 simple skills.
Skill #1. Learn Where Your Money Goes (Business controls its spending)
This skill is a very easy one to master, all it needs a little discipline. Just get a little diary, keep it with at all times and enter each spending transaction into it for a whole month. Do not leave anything out. Every coffee bought while you were out, every bought work lunch, every magazine and every item of clothing. Look at it and see where your funds are really going. Then think what you could have done without. If it was a work-day Starbuck's Coffee (say $5) - that's worth $1,000 per year! What you could you do with that? That's a short resort holiday or you could put it aside for emergencies.
Once you have the months' spending list, then group the items into categories. You could use Food, Clothing, Transport, Rent/House Payments, Medical and Car Payments etc.
Skill #2. Learn How Much You Really Have to Spend (Business knows what it has available to spend)
This is a little harder - but not much. List out your take-home pay (total income less taxes). Then take off your monthly payments such as house/rent, car, life insurance, credit card and medical insurance. The balance should be what is left to spend.
Skill #3. Learn How to Set Savings Goals (Business sets targets)
Once you have mastered Skills #1 and #2 it’s time to sit down and think about what you really need to save for. Is it the kid’s education? Is it a holiday for the family or yourself? Is it to set some money aside for retirement? Or, is it to replace the car, furniture or washing machine?
Look at your results in Skills #1 and #2. How much do you have left after taking your spending from your income? Is there anything left over? What happens if there was a spending emergency? What would happen if there was a major car repair cost? What happens if your fridge or washer dies? You need to set aside something each month to cover these events.
Skill #4. Learn How to Live Within Your Means (Business cannot spend more than it can repay)
If the results of Skills #1 and #2 shows that you are spending more than your income whose money are you really spending? It is the bank's or the Credit Card Provider's money. That money has a cost. It's the interest. That is one reason you need help now.
There are only two parts to this puzzle. Money in and money out. The trick is to make more or spend less, or a combination of both. Since it is easier to spend more that to earn more, let's look at some painless ways to spend less.
1. Don't buy things just because they are on sale - only buy when you really need them.
2. Think twice (or even three times) before spending on frivolous items
3. Think twice before you make that mobile phone call. Is it REALLY necessary?
4. Wait for things to go on sale. Usually there is no immediate need to buy many items.
5. Eat at home more often. 1 meal a week eaten at home, not out, could save you $750 per year.
6. Make your work lunch instead of buying it each day. This could save you up to $2,000 per year!
7. Stay busy - start a hobby, improve yourself by reading at the library - anything to keep you from shopping at the mall.
8. Buy clothes from discount shops rather than large up-market retailers.
9. Let your kids take the bus to school rather than driving them.
10. Try to eat natural foods rather than processed foods. You'll save money and stay more healthy.
11. Stop smoking. What a waste of money! It costs you money and it can harm your health.
12. Apply as much spare cash as you can to pay down your credit card debt quickly.
Now, how can you increase your cash coming in?
1. Improve you job/career prospects by taking a course, read books to enhance your work skills at the library.
2. Take online surveys. Check them out on the Internet.
3. Learn how to create your own website. Make your hobby pay for itself.
4. Clean out those items you no longer need. Fill up your car trunk and take them to a weekly or monthly market. You'll be surprised how much people will pay.
Skill #5. Learn How to Develop a "Savings" Mindset (Business only purchases at the best price)
Tell yourself from now on you're not paying full price again for anything. Not clothes, not furniture, not white goods, not car repairs, not insurances, not phones - not even food. Once you set your mind to it, you will find many ways to make this happen. It only needs the will. These tips will help:
1. When buying expensive items play off one store against another. Ask for the lowest price from one store then get the other one to better it. Do this a few times and you'll be surprised how much they can really cut the price!
2. Don't buy clothes at the height of the fashion. Find clothes that mix and match well.
3. Learn a little about how your car works. Don't just take your car to the repairer and say "fix it". Try to narrow down the problem yourself first. Get a couple of quotes.
4. Competition is a wonderful thing. There are always providers of services out these that are ready and willing to beat a competitor's price. This will work for phones (fixed and mobile), insurances, computers, software, car finance and house finance. Make sure the quality is to your standards though.
Skill #6. Learn How to Bargain and not Accept Paying Full Price Again. (Business needs to negotiate prices)
Always ask "What is your best price?" Don't ask "Is that your best price?" Be ready to tell the salesperson the best price you've received from their competition. Then ask the question again, "What is your best price?" Walk away if the price is not to your satisfaction. This is best used on white goods, furniture and vehicle salespeople.
Don't get too stuck on a specific brand or model. Look at all your options.
You can also look for the type of product you require on Ebay. Check their prices and use them to your advantage.
Skill #7. Learn How to Put Your Own Finance Plan in Place - and Stick to it. (Business needs a plan and commits to it)
Now that you have a few more skills to control money in and money out it's time to commit to a budget that will meet your savings and spending needs.
Find a budget plan system that satisfies your requirements. (You can find them on the Internet). Make sure the one you choose it lets you set your goals, checks your ability to meet those goals and then tracks your progress monthly towards those goals. Also, make sure it is good value for money. One system that satisfies all these requirements is "5 Steps to Freedom" Personal Budget. You can learn more by clicking on the links below or clicking on the Author's Profile.
If you learn these skills and put then into practice, you can truly "Laugh at Your Money Worries".
Bruce Hokin has designed a simple budget tool called "5 Steps to Freedom Personal Budget." It's based on his extensive background as a qualified, experienced accountant, manager, consultant and financial adviser. You can download this powerful budget assistant today and be on your way to financial freedom within the hour. It is available at his website www.freedom-personal-budgets.com.
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